Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of data does Data-Planet contain?Data-Planet is a massive repository of publicly, privately, and commercially sourced statistical data. All of the data in the system are time-series data. View a complete listing of our data available including datasets, sources, and metrics. The data available in the Data-Planet repository are accessible through two complementary interfaces: Data-Planet Statistical Datasets and Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference.

What’s the difference between Data-Planet Statistical Datasets and Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference? Data-Planet Statistical Datasets and Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference are built on the same content repository. The difference is in the interface through which users access the data. Data-Planet Statistical Datasets offers powerful capabilities to compare & contrast multiple data series, perform statistical calculations on the data, and customize output views. Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference is designed for quick statistical lookups.

Subscribers have access to both interfaces.

How often are the datasets in Data-Planet updated? All of the datasets in Data-Planet are updated as new data are provided from the source organization. This could be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, annually, or on a multiple year or variable periodic basis.

How soon after the official dataset is updated by the source organization is it included in Data-Planet? Datasets are typically updated promptly in Data-Planet following a new release by the source organization, sometimes minutes after the official dataset is updated. Generally, the data are available in our system within a day of the official release of any data. There are some cases, however, where the data in an update may have a new format or contain new information that may cause a short delay in processing.

How are datasets selected for inclusion in Data-Planet?

The statistical datasets included in the Data-Planet repository are added based on an evaluation and prioritization process that takes into account the following factors:

1. Customer expressed request for a particular dataset to be added to the repository

2. Authority of the source organization that collects, analyzes, and releases the dataset

3. Statistical credibility of the dataset: considered here is how well documented the dataset is with respect to sampling, data collection methodology, and data analysis procedures

4. Fit of the dataset within the repository’s scope of coverage, defined at a high level by 16 subject areas

To identify new datasets for addition to the repository, the data development and editorial teams periodically assess gaps of coverage by subject area. In addition, government, nongovernmental, international, and other organizational websites and news releases are followed on an ongoing basis to identify new datasets for evaluation and potential addition to the repository. Suggestions on datasets to add to the Data-Planet repository are welcome. Please contact us at onlinesupport@sagepub.co.uk.

How are the datasets made searchable? We have a controlled vocabulary and a data-driven listing of geographic and company names. Our metadata scheme has more than 37 fields. At the highest level, we show dataset title, source, and dates of coverage. We apply subject terms to the metadata that are related to the 16 major subject categories, or classifications. All of our data are standardized against national or international codes and standards — for example, geographic names are actually represented as codes in our system, which enables users to retrieve all relevant time series for a specific geographic entity regardless of how the source represents the name of the entity . This standardization also allows someone to search disparate datasets at the same time to profile places, industries, or topics. It also provides us with the ability to output formatted, credible, and citable data.

Is this a statistics tool or a content aggregation? Data-Planet is an aggregation of statistical content and associated metadata. We believe it is the largest aggregation of standardized, structured, harmonized, and searchable time-series data available in a single system. There are lots of aggregations, but not many that provide the search capabilities, metadata and descriptive information, or currency of Data-Planet. In addition, the Data-Planet repository can house data and manage access rights specific to your organization, department, or institution. In this way, it is also a technology platform.

Can I view multiple datasets at one time? Yes, Data-Planet Statistical Datasets is engineered so users can compare and contrast different data, from different sources, in one browser window. It can be done in seconds with a single mouse click. (Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference does not offer this capability.)

What kind of charts can I create with Data-Planet? Users can create multiple types and styles of line charts, area charts, bar graphs, trend rankings, and maps using Data-Planet.

What computation capabilities does Data-Planet have? Data-Planet Statistical Datasets has a Calculator Tool that enables you to use simple mathematical equations to calculate rates, ratios, percent distribution, and other statistical measures. Statistical analysis is available for all three types of charts (map, trend, and ranking) Available functions include: Difference from previous, % difference from previous, Prior Year, Difference from Prior Year, Fit a Straight Line Using Least Squares, Sum, Number of Rows with Data, Average, Standard Deviation, Average +/- Standard Deviations (1 – 3). (Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference does not offer this capability.)

Can the data be exported or used in my work product and research? Yes! The whole purpose of Data-Planet is to provide users with better, easier access to the data they need in their daily work. Data can be exported in many file formats. The descriptions of the data can also be exported or output in several formats. Data Export formats include: Excel, Excel Linked to Data, PDF, Delimited Text, SAS, XML, Shapefile, RefWorks, and via DOI links that provide permanent access to the view at the time it was created.

The data can be used for research purposes. News organizations can create dynamic charts, tables, maps and graphs from Data-Planet for use in their own publications, provided they are cited properly and in accordance to ourlicense terms and conditions. Researchers in business, government, and academia can include output from Data-Planet in their work so long as they do not create derivative products for sale, publication, and wide distribution without our expressed written permission and in accordance with our license agreement.

Can I share data I find in Data-Planet with people that may not have access to the product?

Both interfaces also provide the ability to create DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) of DataSheets, comprising the chart you’ve created and the associated metadata, which resolve to the original view of the DataSheet. Sharing the DOI link for a view returns the original view of the DataSheet, with the option of linking to an updated view that contains the most current data available for the time series. Only subscribers will be able to access the updated view. Note that DOIs created in Ready Reference also resolve to an original view of the DataSheet; however, only subscribers will be able to see the chart.

What are the system requirements to use Data-Planet? Data-Planet Statistical Datasets is a web-based application that runs in most popular web browsers on both Apple and PC-based operating systems.

How do I get access to Data-Planet? Call us, email us, fill out our request form, send us a letter! One of our sales representatives will be delighted to talk with you to set up a demo and trial of Data-Planet Statistical Datasets and Data-Planet Statistical Ready Reference. Find contact information here.